Advertising Blurbs

Back of Case - DS (UK):

The year is 2036. Assume the role of high school student Soma Cruz, and stop a mysterious cult from resurrecting their evil lord and master! Infiltrate their stronghold! Master weapons, magic spells and even the souls of your enemies! Use the touch screen to command your allies and defeat devastating bosses. Play one of the greatest Castlevania adventures - ever!

Description
The year is 2036, one year after the events of Castlevania®: Aria of Sorrow™. Soma Cruz finds himself at the center of a mysterious cults plan to resurrect their evil lord and master Dracula. In order to save himself and protect the lives of those he loves, Soma must infiltrate the enemys home base, a towering replica of Draculas castle that is teaming with monstrous creatures.

Features

Use Devil Forgery skills to develop & enhance Innocent Devils allies

RPG elements featuring character growth based on experience points

Deep storyline that unfolds against a backdrop of beautifully environments

Drac is Back

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow continues the storyline that first emerged in the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. The year is 2036, one year after the events of Aria of Sorrow, and Soma Cruz finds himself at the center of a mysterious cult's plan to resurrect its evil lord and master, Dracula. Soma must infiltrate the heart of the cult--a towering replica of Dracula's castle that is teeming with monstrous creatures.

Konami's renowned Castlevania series to make its debut on Nintendo DS system

Konami of Europe today unveiled a new Castlevania game for the Nintendo DS™. Set in the year 2036, the newest title in the series continues the storyline that first emerged in the critically acclaimed Castlevania®: Aria of Sorrow™ for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance™. While the new 2D side scrolling action game will contain all the classic gameplay that fans of the series have come to expect, Castlevania for Nintendo DS (working title) will also incorporate innovative gameplay elements that take full advantage of the portable system's powerful new technology.

"The game's rich storyline and strong characters coupled with the adoption of the new technology in the Nintendo DS has allowed us to bring the series to a whole new level" says Hans-Joachim Amann, Head of Product Management of Konami of Europe. "By utilising the Nintendo DS' sophisticated capabilities such as the Dual Screen functionality and Touch Screen technology, we are able to bring a fresh new dimension to this title and provide a truly unique gameplay experience for the gamer."

Taking place a year after Aria of Sorrow, the game's protagonist – Soma Cruz – finds himself at the center of a mysterious cult's plan to resurrect their evil lord and master, Dracula. In order to save himself and protect the lives of those he loves, Soma Cruz must infiltrate the enemy's home base, a towering replica of Dracula's castle that is teaming with monstrous creatures. Players' abilities grow and develop as they collect items and gather experience points by defeating enemies.

In their quest to defeat enemies, players will utilize completely original gameplay concepts that leverage the Nintendo DS' Touch Screen technology. One example of this new technology is Castlevania for Nintendo DS' "Magic Seal" system. By using the stylus directly on the screen, players must connect a series of symbols in the proper order to unlock an enchanted opening and disperse their enemy's magic into it when they are weakened.

Also aiding them in their battle against dark forces is the ability to collect the souls of their enemies to gain powerful new attacks and skills. The new Castlevania for Nintendo DS takes advantage of the Nintendo DS' Wireless Connection, letting players exchange and/or trade acquired souls to enhance their characters' strength. An incredibly moving musical score, visually stunning graphics and imaginative special effects round out this uniquely innovative gaming experience.

Created by Koji Igarashi and the creative team behind the critically acclaimed classic Castellanies: Aria of Sorrow, the new Castlevania for Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in Europe in Autumn, 2005.

Reach Out and Touch the Magic...

A year has passed since Soma Cruz discovered the evil of Dracula hidden inside of his body. Now, a mysterious cult wants to release the power of the lord of darkness. As Soma, you must do everything in your power to stop them before it's too late.

Draw the correct magic seal quickly or your enemies will never die!

Fight and explore through one of the largest castles ever seen in the series!

The year is 2036, one year after the events of Castlevania Aria of Sorrow Soma Cruz finds himself at the center of a mysterious cults plan to resurrect their evil lord and master Dracula. In order to save himself and protect the lives of those he loves, Soma must infiltrate the enemy's home base, a towering replica of Draculas castle that is teaming with monstrous creatures.

Features

Master the Magic Seal System to defeat enemies using the touch screen

Collect even more tactical souls to upgrade your abilities and weapons

Exchange souls with other players via the DS wireless connection

Race another player through custom-made castle rooms in VS mode

Fight through and explore one of the largest castles ever seen in the series

Set in the year 2036, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow picks up one year
after the events of Aria of Sorrow (GBA). A mysterious cult, unhappy
that Soma Cruz failed to fulfill his destiny and become the
reincarnation of Dracula, seeks to sacrifice our hero so it can bring
about a new dark lord. Rather than wait for his enemies to come to him,
Soma decides to go on the offensive, which leads him to an
all-too-familiar castle.

Following in the footsteps of recent Castlevania games, the series' DS
debut features RPG elements and a labyrinthine map rife with secrets and
special weapons. Aria of Sorrow's heralded Tactical Soul system returns
as well, allowing you to learn new powers and abilities by capturing the
souls of your vanquished foes.

As you control the action on the bottom screen, the top screen will
display enemy and player information or a map that's updated in real
time as you explore the castle. While that may not sound like the most
glamorous use of the dual screens, Castlevania disciples can attest to
how valuable a persistent view of the map will be when you're trying to
find a secret room or remember the location of that previously
unreachable platform.

The touch screen also plays a crucial role in smashing crystal blocks
that stand in your path and in drawing Magic Seals to banish bosses.
Konami has also revealed that certain Tactical Souls will enable you to
perform location-based attacks via the stylus. In some rooms, you'll
even be able to use the stylus to warp to different locations in the
castle.

Bottom Line

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is a winner and a must-have for the Nintendo
DS.